BMW Mini car production threatened as Imperial Logistics HGV drivers vote to strike

Mini car production at BMW’s Cowley plant could be severely disrupted after HGV drivers at Imperial Logistics International UK, who deliver components to the factory, voted in favour of a six-day strike.

The warning from union Unite comes after HGV drivers at the haulage firm voted 94% in favour of strike action.

The 24-hour strikes will take place on 9 November and 17 November; and will be followed by a 48-hour strike on 23 and 24 November and 30 November and 1 December. There will also be a continuous overtime ban.

The dispute centres around the company’s offer of a pay increase aimed at retaining their drivers in the midst of the driver shortage.

The HGV drivers employed by the company are protesting at the increase being just under £2 less than the hourly rate being paid to those employed on an agency basis.

If the drivers go on strike Unite said this week it could hit Mini production at the Cowley plant, which produces around 1,000 vehicles a day.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “There is a serious shortage of lorry drivers across the UK so Imperial Logistics needs to wake up, smell the coffee and pay our members the rate they deserve.

“Our drivers do the vital job of delivering the components to the plant. With the ‘just-in-time’ supply chain any strike action and overtime ban will slow the production line down or stop it completely. That can be avoided - Imperial Logistics just needs to do the decent thing and pay the drivers fairly."

Unite said a team of more than 70 drivers is needed to keep the Oxford plant supplied, but the firm only has 25, which means a lot of the work is sub-contracted out, making the site heavily reliant on agency drivers.

Unite regional officer Scott Kemp said: “The management has been dragging its feet since the summer and needs to come to the negotiating table quickly for constructive talks. Like many other logistics firms, it has been hugely impacted by the national shortage of LGV drivers.

“Our members are angry that agency drivers are paid considerably more than the permanent staff – the management needs to rectify this situation fast, otherwise Mini production could be hit.”

Imperial Logistics have yet to respond to a request for comment.